Gokce Tandogdu
ITIN Specialist, itin.net
Yes. Non-U.S. residents without a Social Security Number can obtain an EIN by filing Form SS-4 directly with the IRS. The online EIN application is the only path closed to applicants without an SSN — fax and mail submission produce a valid federal EIN that any U.S. bank, payment processor, or contract counterparty will accept.
How the SS-4 works for non-residents. Complete Form SS-4 with the entity's legal name, formation state, and date matching the LLC's Articles of Organization. On line 7b (the responsible party's SSN/ITIN field), write "Foreign" rather than leaving it blank — this signals to the IRS that you are an SS-4 applicant without a U.S. taxpayer ID, and the form proceeds normally.
Fax vs mail. Faxed SS-4 applications typically result in an EIN within 4 business days of receipt. Mailed applications take 4 to 5 weeks. The IRS faxes the EIN back, then mails the CP-575 confirmation letter (the document banks ask for during account opening) to the address on the form.
Why use a Certified Acceptance Agent. A CAA prepares the SS-4 correctly the first time and files through IRS-dedicated channels that move faster than the public fax line. This matters because the most common reason SS-4 applications stall is small formatting issues — name mismatch with state filing, foreign address that the IRS cannot parse, ambiguity on the "type of entity" field. Through itin.net the SS-4 typically yields an EIN within 3 to 5 business days for the expedited tier.
What you don't need. You do not need an ITIN to apply for an EIN. The two are separate. The EIN is for the entity; the ITIN is for an individual. Many non-resident founders need both, but you can absolutely obtain the EIN first (and most do, since the LLC needs it for banking before the personal ITIN question even arises).
What the EIN is for. Once issued, the EIN identifies the LLC on its business bank account, on tax filings (including the mandatory Form 5472 for foreign-owned single-member LLCs), on contracts, and on tax forms like W-9 issued to vendors. The CP-575 letter is the document banks request as proof of issuance.